Page 43 of SEAL's Providence
PROVIDENCE
Providence hung up with Tony and leaned her elbows on her desk. She needed to think. Thankfully, she didn’t have any patients scheduled. It might have been a little white lie she’d told him, but at that moment she didn’t give a rat’s ass.
She wanted to rail against the world. It took everything she had to stay calm and not toss her computer across the room. Not that it would have helped. Instead, she’d lied. An apology would come later, after she figured out what to do.
Her thoughts scrambled around her mind like squirrels, but one took center stage—she needed to warn Mary. But how? If she showed up without an appointment for no reason, it would make John even more suspicious than he’d been the other day.Tony was right about being careful. The last thing she wanted was to put anyone in danger, including herself. Still, she couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
For all they knew, the traffickers had already scheduled the auction. What if they moved them tonight? Son of a motherless goat. Yeah, her grandmother would have been proud of her for that one. It wasn’t as satisfying as son of a fucking bitch, though.
Nervous energy had her pacing around her office and nibbling on her thumbnail. When she looked at her finger, she couldn’t believe how bad it looked. Her constant gnawing had chipped off most of the polish and her cuticles were a mess. It was a horrible habit.
As she studied the ruined manicure, she wondered if this was her answer. Why couldn’t she drop in for a touch up? It was obvious she needed it. She’d have to take the chance that Mary would be available, but she’d wait until she was free. It could work. Dammit. It had to work.
Providence opened the calendar on her computer. There weren’t any patients scheduled for the rest of the afternoon. That alone was a minor miracle. Then again, she’d probably already treated half the base that week.
With her mind made up, she tossed her tabletand phone into her purse. All she needed was to get by that bitch Nancy and she’d be home free. Providence opened her office door and stepped into the clinic area.
“Hey, Nancy?—”
“Nancy called out today, Doc. I’m covering her shift,” Laurie answered.
Laurie. Perfect. The woman was a saint and wouldn’t think twice about Providence leaving early. “Hopefully, she doesn’t have the bug. It’s amazing we’re not all down for the count.”
“Right? I was feeling a little off yesterday, but I’m back to normal now.”
“I’m glad to hear it. That’s why I was looking for Nancy. I’m not feeling well. It might be exhaustion or the beginnings of the bug, so I’m going to head home. Rest and fluids should help. If anyone comes looking for me, just let them know I went home ill. There should be plenty of coverage if anything comes up.”
“Okay, Dr. Sheridan. I hope you feel better.”
“Thanks, Laurie.”
Providence took the side door to the parking lot. She didn’t trust Tony not to show up to make sure she was okay. If she ran into him, he’d know she was up to something and stop her.
Finally the base was in her rearview, andProvidence breathed a sigh of relief. Now she had to figure out what to say to Mary while not raising John the Douchebag’s suspicions. Lunchtime traffic gave her a chance to think, and when she parked and entered the salon, she’d come up with her plan of action.
As soon as the doorbell chimed, John turned. His gaze traveled over her, and his shock at seeing her in uniform made her smirk. Since her appointments were always on her days off, she usually came in comfy clothes. Maybe it would be enough for him to think twice about giving her shit.
“You don’t have an appointment,” he said in a Russian accent.
Or not. Yup, full douchebag mode today. But he didn’t know she knew what was going on there. Or that she intended to make sure he couldn’t hurt anyone else.
“I’m aware. Does Mary have time to do a fix for me?” Providence showed him her thumbnail.
He didn’t look happy. After a brief hesitation, he walked over to Mary’s station. She was already working with a client, and Providence couldn’t tell how far along she was. John had a brief and angry discussion with her before returning to the counter. “She will help you after this customer. Wait over there.”
Providence didn’t bother to answer him, just headed over to the bench seats at the front of the salon to wait. She pulled out her phone and checked her messages. There was a text from Tempest, but thankfully, not Tony.
Tempest: Are you okay? Laurie said you went home sick.
Providence didn’t want to lie to her friend. If she told Tempest the truth, that she was at the salon, she’d want to know why. She couldn’t do that, not now. Ugh, talk about digging herself a hole. Deciding it was better to ignore Tempest than add to her list of deceptions, she slid the phone back into her purse without replying.
Nervous energy slithered along her skin, making her itchy. Badly in need of a distraction, she picked up the copy ofModern Bridethat was sitting on the table. It had been years since she’d bought a magazine. When had they become nothing but ads? Mercy. And damn, those dresses? Nope, not for her. Not that she was planning on ever getting married. Providence snorted just thinking about it. Her cheeks flushed as she looked around to make sure no one had heard. Apparently, you could take the girl out of Mississippi, but not Mississippi out of the girl.
“’Miss Providence. I can help you now,” Mary said as she stopped in front of her.
“Great. I’m sorry to show up without an appointment. I messed up one nail. I’m hoping you can fix it. It shouldn’t take long, right?”
Mary looked at her finger, then at Providence’s face, and nodded. “Not too long. Let me grab the color. You can sit at my table.”
